What is an EDC Tool Kit? | Everyday Carry Talk

There are two types of EDC tool kits, and we will check them both in this article. First we have the EDC maintenance tool kits, which has all the tools to keep your knives (and other EDC gear) in good condition. And second we have the EDC gear tool kits, which contains the tools you would need on the go for situations that could come up.

Let's goooooo!!

EDC Maintenance Tool Kits

When you jump into the pocket knife world, you will soon realize that there is a lot of maintenance and repair related to this hobby. But even if this isn't a hobby for you and you only have one knife (please, repent), chances are you will need to do some sharpening, cleaning, and even centering. If you do enjoy this as a hobby, you might even like to so some customizing once in a while, in which case disassembly is almost always required. It is fun, though! It's like being a pocket knife surgeon, and yes, you need the right tools. 

 

Sharpening your knives

For many people, sharpening their knives is like facing their fears. "I might scratch the blade" or "I will ruin the edge" are some of the many reasons why knife enthusiasts don't sharpen their knives. And we get it! You want your knives to remain as pristine as possible. But remember, a dull knife is not a safe knife, and it also isn't practical. You can't rely on a knife that doesn't cut well, duh. Adding a little stone to your EDC maintenance tool kit is a must. 

After you sharpen your knife, you will need to strop that blade to make sure it is clean, and to remove the tiny imperfections from the edge of the blade. This of course will make your knife a better cutting tool. We have a full yet simple guide on how to strop your knives. Definitely add a strop + compound to your EDC tool kit. You will be glad you have it.

Cleaning your pocket knives

There are different levels to this task. It is definitely something that needs to be done often, but many times just whipping the blade with a cloth might do it. There will also be times when you will need to take the whole knife apart, clean it, lube it, and put it back together (depending in the pocket knife you are taking apart, this can be quite the process). You will need to have some tools to do this successfully. 

 

Torx Screwdrivers: Used to remove all the screws out of your pocket knives, and also to put the knives back together. The most common torx screw sizes found in pocket knives are T6 and T8.

 

 

Thread Locker: As you put your pocket knife back together, you want to secure the screws with thread locker just so they don't start popping out. Make sure to use blue loctite instead of red. 

 

 

Knife Lube: Knife lubricants is how you get a smooth action when putting your knife back together. Trust us, you want that action to be smooth ;)

 

 

There are a bunch of other tools that you can add to your EDC tool kit, like an angle finder for sharpening, pins to help you extract hardware, cloths to clean the hardware or the blade, etc. The whole point is that whenever you need to do some maintenance to your pocket knives, your EDC tool kit has everything you need. 

If you don't have any of these tools, we highly recommend you get the Loaded Burrito, and you will be covered.

EDC Gear Tool Kits

An EDC gear tool kit is a collection of essential tools and gear that you carry with you every day in a sort of pouch or small bag. These tools are designed to help you handle common everyday problems that may arise, whether you're at home, work, or on the go. The idea is to be prepared for any situation, and to have the tools you need to handle it.

 

Multitools

These are a popular item in most EDC tool kits because they offer a variety of useful tools in a compact package. They often feature a combination of pliers, screwdrivers, knives, saws, and other tools. We put a couple of multitools in our EDC tool kit, but the one shown in this picture is the Gerber Dual-Force. A large and reliable multitool.

 

 

Flashlights

are also a popular item, providing light in dark or dimly lit environments. They range from small keychain-sized lights to larger tactical flashlights. Many members of the EDC community will carry a light in their pocket, and a bigger light in the EDC tool kit.

 

 

Pliers

These are also another useful tool that can help you tackle a variety of tasks. They come in a bunch of different sizes and styles, from needle-nose pliers to locking pliers. Sometimes you will encounter plier tasks that your multitool won't be able to tackle. That's when you pull these bad boys.

 

Fixed Blade

A fixed blade in an EDC tool kit is always a good idea. If you are a knife nerd, there are things you won't want to do with your folder because you might need a longer blade, or it's a tough task and you could damage the tolerances of your folder. Whatever the case, a fixed blade is a handy item. The fixed blade shown in this picture is the Tops Knives Little Bugger.

 

Pry Bars

Other gear people love to carry are small pry bars. They can be convenient to open containers or to pry things apart.

 

Fire starters And Other Emergency Gear

Fire starters can be a life saver in survival scenarios. Small sharpening tools can bring your knives back to life when they have gone dull. Pens and field notes are extremally handy to write down notes or ideas that might come to you sporadically, you can also make quick sketches or diagrams. First aid supplies are excellent to always have with you for potential emergencies. And last but not least, emergency cash. 

Well, if you're anything like me, your EDC gear tool kit will probably consist of a pack of gum, a half-eaten granola bar. Just kidding! But in all seriousness, as you assemble your EDC gear tool kit consider the tasks you perform most often, the environments you're in, and any potential emergencies you may face. You will be ready :)

A Burrito

The tool burrito is definitely the perfect size for any of these EDC tool kits. We have put a couple of multitools, a fixed blade, a flashlight, sharpening equipment, strop and compound, pry bars, pens and sharpies, fire starters, and more... and it still closed perfectly like shown in the picture below. 

You can't beat the tool burrito. You can literally use it for anything. Whether you are putting your maintenance or gear kit together, just throw your tools into this bad boy and keep rolling in style. But you don't need to stop there. Do you cut your own hair? You can easily put your clippers, trimmers, scissors, and combs in it. Are you more of a tech person? You can put your cables, jump drives, adaptors, and wireless chargers in there as well. The quality is there, and it will last you for a very long time.